Destinations > Italy > Rome > Sights

Rome (Roma)

Sights

There are several sightseeing passes that allow you discounted entry to museums and archeological sites throughout Rome. These include the Roma Archeologia Card, which costs €20 and is valid for seven days allowing entry to the Roman National Museum, the Colosseum, the Palatine, the Baths of Caracalla, the Tomb of Cecilia Metella and the Villa of Quintili and the Appia Antica Card, which costs €6 and allows seven days entrance to the Baths of Caracalla, the Tomb of Cecilia Metella and the Villa Quintili.

Baths of Caracalla (Terme di Caracalla)

These Roman baths dates from the 3rd century BC and is a peaceful haven from the hustle bustle of modern-day Rome. The complex once contained a library, shops, gymnasiums and a garden area.

Viale delle Terme di Caracella 52, Roma

Metro Circo Massimo Bus 90, 90b, 93, 93b, 118, 160, 671

Admission Appia Antica Card (€6) or Archeologia Card (€20)

Open Mon 9am-2pm, Tu-Sun 9am-1hr before sunset

Castel Sant'Angelo

This imposing fortress has an interesting history dating from 135AD when Emperor Hadrian begun work on the castle. Much of the structure has been modified over time and it's history has been closely entwined with the Vatican, to which it is connected by an underground passage.

Lungotevere Castello 50, Roma

Metro Lepanto Bus 80,87, 280, 492

Admission €5

Open Tue-Sun 9am-8pm

Catacombs

There are around 300km of catacombs in Rome holding the bones of thousands of people. Many of the catacombs date from the 4th century BC and the bones of early saints and popes are held in some of them. Like the catacombs in Paris, this is a popular sight - where else can a nun take you on a guided tour through eerie underground passageways stacked with thousands of human bones. The most popular catacombs are San Callisto and San Sebastiano, both located on the old Appian Way.

Catacombs of Domitilla

Via delle Sette Chiese 282, Roma

Website www.catacombe.domitilla.it

Admission €5

Open 8.30am-noon & 2.30pm-5pm daily

Catacombs of San Callisto

Via Appia Antica 110, Roma

Bus 118

Tel (06) 51301580

Website www.catacombe.roma.it

Admission €5

Open 8.30am-noon & 2.30pm-5pm daily

Catacombes of San Sebastiano

Via Appia Antica 136, Roma

Bus 218

Tel (06) 7850350

Website www.catacombe.roma.it

Admission €5

Open 1 Jan-9 Nov & 11-31 Dec Mon-Sat 8.30am-noon & 2.30pm-5pm

Circus Maximus (Circo Massimo)

Chariot races where held at Circus Maximus from the 4th century BC and in its heyday this ancient stadium could hold as many as 300,000 people. Although all that remains are ruins, it is fascinating to try and imagine how it looked more than two thousand years ago.

Via dei Cerchi & Via del Circo Massimo, Roma

Metro Circo Massimo Bus 11, 15, 27, 90, 94 Tram 13, 30

Colosseum (Colosseo)

One of the most famous and impressive monuments in Rome, this stadium was once the venue where gladiators fought and Christians where fed to the lions. Although much of the Colosseum was destroyed during the Middle Ages and the Rennaissance, what remains is still a remarkable monument to ancient Rome.

Piazza del Colosseo, Roma

Metro Colosseo

Tel (06) 39967700

Admission €8-10 including entry to Palatine

Open 9am-1hr before sunset daily

Imperial Forum (Fori Imperiali)

During the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, the Imperial Forums where the centre of Roman society and consisted of temples and public squares. Nowadays all that remains are ruins, although it is still a very impressive site. It is difficult to see much of the Imperial Forums but you can see much of the same across the road at the more accessible Roman Forums (Fori Romano).

Via dei Fori Imperiali, Roma

Metro Colosseo Bus 11, 27, 81, 85, 87, 186

Admission free

National Etruscan Museum (Museo Nazionale di Villa Guilia)

This museum, housed in a papal place that dates from the 16th-century, displays an excellent collection of artefacts from the Etruscans (who lived in Lazio before the Romans).

Piazzale di Villa Giulia 9, Roma

Metro Plaminio

Tel (06) 3201951

Admission €4

Open Tue-Sun 8.30am-7.30pm

Palatine (Palatino)

The hill overlooking the Roman Forum is home to a number of palaces dating from the 1st century AD.

Via di San Gregorio 30, Rome

Metro Colosseo Bus 11, 15, 27, 118, 673

Admission €8 including entry to ColosseumOpen 9am-1hr before sunset daily

Pantheon

Originally built as a temple in 27BC, the Pantheon has been also used as a church and a market. The main feature of what is the best preserved of all the ancient Roman buildings, is the 9 metre circular hole in the dome which casts a beam of light.

Piazza della Rontonda, Rome

Bus 119

Tel (06) 68300230

Admission free

Open Mon-Sat 9am-7.45, Sun 9am-6pm

Piazza di Spagna and the Spanish Steps

An incredibly touristy square is known mainly for the Spanish Steps, an elaborate staircase leading up to the Trinità dei Monti church. Basically the steps are a place to hang out with the other tourists although young Italian guys also like to hang out here and try to pick you up.

Metro Spagna Bus 199

Piazza Navona

Another touristy square, although it's much nicer than Piazza di Spagna and in many ways a centre piece of the Centro Storico.

Pyramid of Gaius Cestius (Piramide di Ciao Cestio)

This minature pyramid was built in the 1st century BC for a lawyer who was really impressed by the Egyptian pyramids.

Piazza di Porta San Paolo

Metro Piramide Train Ostiense Tram 13, 30

Roman Forum (Foro Romano)

The Roman Forum was the centrepiece of the Roman Empire with public squares, temples and law courts. Although much of the Forum is in ruins, it is still very interesting and much more accessible than the nearby Imperial Forum.

Largo Romolo e Remo, Via dei Foro Imperiali
Metro Colosseo Bus 11, 27, 81, 85, 87, 186

Admission free

Open Jan-Mar 9am-4.30pm daily; Apr-Sep 9am-7pm daily; Oct-Dec 9am-4.30pm

Saint Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro)

Saint Peter's is the most important building in the Catholic world and the pope's local church. The famous church has always been an important site since the 4th century, one thousand years later Pope Julius II took the bold move and tore down the old church, commissioning the architect Bramant to rebuild it as a larger and more imposing structure. Michelangelo also worked on the Basilica and is credited with much of the present design including the dome, which was the largest ever constructed. While you are in the Vatican, use their post office to send your letters and post cards home - not only do they have nice stamps, but because it is independent of the Italian postal system your letters will get home quicker.

Piazza San Pietro, Vatican City

Metro Ottaviano Tram 19 Bus 46

Tel (06) 69881662

Admission free

Open Jan-Mar 9am-6pm daily; Apr-Sep 9am-7pm daily; Oct-Dec 9am-6pm daily; dome open Jan-Mar 8am-5pm daily; Apr-Sep 8am-6pm daily; Oct-Dec 8am-5pm daily

Theatre of Marcellus (Teatro di Marcello)

What is now an upmarket apartment complex, started out as a theatre completed by Augustus in 11BC. It is actually quite an impressive structure combining ancient Roman and Renaissance architecture.

Via del Teatro di Marcello, Roma

Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi)

Incredibly touristy fountain which has been immortalised in film. The OTT Baroque fountain may not be to everyone's taste, but you've got to see it. Legend has it that if you toss a coin in the fountain, you will return to Rome.

Piazza di Trevi, Roma

Metro Barberini

Vatican Museums & the Sistine Chapel

A must see attraction for anyone who is interested in Renaissance art. The Vatican Museums contain one of the world's greatest collections of art from the Renaissance period, but the real attraction is Michelangelo's ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Other museums in the complex include the Egyptian Museum (Museo Greoriano Egizio), Etruscan Museum (Museo Gregoriano-Etrusco), Galleria delle Carte Geografiche and the Raphael Rooms.

Viale Vaticano, Vatican City

Metro Ottaviano Tram 19

Tel (06) 69883332

Website www.vatican.va

Admission €12, free last Sun of each month

Open 1-6 Jan & 8 Mar-29 Oct & 27-31 Dec Mon-Fri 8.45am-4.45pm Sat 8.45am-1.45pm

Villa Borghese

Rome's equivalent of Central Park is a great escape from the fast-paced city outside. The park is also home to a zoo and a number of museums.

Metro Flamino Train Piazzale Flamino Bus 95, 490, 495 Tram 19, 19b, 30, 225